Indiana Pacers at Denver Nuggets Betting Preview
Wednesday night will feature an NBA matchup of East versus West as the Indiana Pacers (4-7) square off with the Denver Nuggets (6-4). The Nuggets will host this one at Ball Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
Despite a rough start to the season, the Pacers have been playing better as of late. In fact, they have won three of their last four entering play Wednesday.
In their last game, a 94-91 victory over the Sacramento Kings, Caris LeVert led the team with 22 points and six rebounds. Both Domantas Sabonis (17 points, ten rebounds) and Myles Turner (12 points, 15 rebounds) had double-doubles in the victory.
The Nuggets have won two in a row entering their contest with Indiana, but their last victory came with some fireworks. In a 113-96 victory over the Miami Heat, Nikola Jokic was ejected after leveling Markief Morris after Morris had fouled Jokic.
There is a chance that Jokic could be suspended ahead of Wednesday’s contest. As of Tuesday night, the odds for this game have not been posted, likely due to the uncertainty of Jokic’s status.
More Odds
The Denver Nuggets currently have the fifth-best odds of winning the Western Conference at +750. The Pacers are +6500 to win the East.
In terms of winning the NBA Finals, the Nuggets are +2300 to win it all while the Pacers are +13000.
By The Numbers
Indiana currently holds the advantage in terms of scoring. They rank 13th in the NBA, averaging 109.2 points per game. The Nuggets rank 26th averaging 101.9 points.
Denver actually leads the league in scoring defense as they are allowing opponents a measly 98.5 points per game (92 at home). The Pacers rank 23rd allowing an average of 109.5 points per game (113.7 on the road).
Pacers Look To Stay Hot
After losing six of their first seven games this season, the Pacers have finally been playing some good basketball as of late. As they try to climb back up the Eastern Conference standings, they will look for another win Wednesday.
Leading the way for the Pacers is Domantas Sabonis. In 11 games, he is averaging a double-double with 19.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals.
The Pacers could also get a boost Wednesday as Malcolm Brogdon (illness) is expected to play in this one. Brogdon has only played in six games this season, but he is averaging 22.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, and seven assists in that time.
Other contributors for the Pacers include Caris LeVert (17.2 points, 4.2 assists), Chris Duarte (16 points), 4.5 rebounds) and Myles Turner (14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 blocks).
How Shorthanded Will Nuggets Be?
Early on in the season, the Nuggets have been hit pretty hard with the injury bug. Not only is Jamaal Murray out, but Michael Porter Jr. (9.9 points, 6.6 rebounds) is out for the foreseeable future as he deals with a back injury.
Superstar Nikola Jokic has had a tremendous start to the season as he is averaging 25.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and a block per game. After the ejection Monday night, though, his availability could be in doubt for this one.
Other major contributors for the Nuggets include Will Barton (16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists), Aaron Gordon (12 points, 5.9 rebounds), and Monte Morris (10.9 points, 3.8 assists).
Keep An Eye On Jokic’s Status
Already without Michael Porter Jr. and Jamaal Murray, it would be brutal for the Nuggets to lose Nikola Jokic to a suspension. Obviously, before making a bet, make sure to check his availability for this one.
While the Pacers’ overall record has been suspect, they have been playing better ball as of late. Especially against a shorthanded Nuggets team, they could add another tally to the win column.
